April 27, 2002
Concord, CA - The Saint Mary's College Department of Athletics and Recreational Sports hosted the 3rd Annual Gael Awards Banquet on Friday, April 26 at the Hilton Concord. Mary Murphy, women's basketball analyst for Fox Sports, KRON, and CBS, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Approximately 150 people attended the banquet, including student-athletes, coaches, administrators, parents, and supporters of Gael Athletics.
Among those honored included some 60 senior student-athletes from 13 sports who have completed their athletic eligibility. Head coaches from each respective sport were introduced to recognize the seniors and discuss the impacts they've had on the program.
The first awards given out were to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, representing the top 10 cumulative grade point averages of all student-athletes who have completed as least two semesters of course work. Junior football player Nathan Frowsing topped the list with a 3.97 GPA. He was joined by Frank Schmitt (men's tennis, 3.96 GPA), Christine Dennler (women's rowing, 3.94 GPA), Courtney Nelson (lacrosse, 3.93 GPA), Thomas Burgemeister (men's tennis, 3.88 GPA), Tara Doyle (women's rowing, 3.86 GPA), Lindsay Lopez (women's basketball, 3.81 GPA), Arturo Planell (men's tennis, 3.80 GPA), Alex Avina (men's tennis, 3.80 GPA), and Adam Thompson (baseball, 3.72 GPA).
Michael Wayman, head men's tennis coach, accepted the Top Team GPA Award on behalf of the team. Currently, his team carries a 3.43 cumulative grade point average.
The Mike Gibbons Memorial Volunteer Award was presented to Jim McDermott. McDermott has volunteered his time to the football program as an assistant coach for 17 seasons and is also a member of the Football Advisory Board and the President's Club.
The Gael Spirit Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of a Saint Mary's employee, was awarded to Mark Orr, Assistant Athletic Director for Student Support Services. In two years at Saint Mary's, Orr has made invaluable contributions to the student-athletes and coaches in overseeing eligibility, providing academic support and counseling, and serving as a resource in many different areas.
The Newcomer of the Year Awards were presented to freshman women's soccer player Katie Frattone and freshman football player Greg Kavulich. Frattone led the soccer team with 13 goals, seven assists, and 33 points while carrying a 3.18 GPA. She scored four game-winning goals on the season and helped elevate the team to a national ranking as high as #5. Kavulich totaled 48 tackles on the year as a defensive back and started in all 11 games. He was a Second Team I-AA Independent selection was voted Rookie of the Year by his teammates at the Football Awards Banquet.
The George R. McKeon Senior Awards were presented to women's basketball player Katie Davis and football player Nate Brown. This award, which recognizes athletic, academic, and extracurricular accomplishments, is the highest award presented to a Saint Mary's student-athlete. Davis led the women's basketball team to three consecutive post-season tournament appearances while earning a 3.63 GPA. She started in all 29 games this past year and was named Honorable Mention All-West Coast Conference. Brown is a three-year starter at receiver and carries a 3.32 GPA. He was named Second Team District VIII Academic All-America in 2001 and helps lead community service projects for his team. Both Davis and Brown will also be recognized at commencement ceremonies on May 25 for this honor.
Head football coach Tim Landis and head women's soccer coach Paul Ratcliffe shared the Brother Agnon Coach of the Year Award. Landis led the Gaels to a 6-5 season for the second consecutive year, marking the first back-to-back winning seasons for the football program since 1995-96. He was also named the I-AA Independent Coach of the Year and led a team that ranked 4th in the country in rushing offense. Ratcliffe led the women's soccer team to arguably the best season in school history, posting a 15-3-2 record and a second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He posted a 5-1-1 record against top-25 opponents and led the Gaels to a national ranking as high as #5. This is the second time in three years he has won this award.
